When is a dog not a pet? When it's a trained service animal for a person with a disability.

To help people understand the laws governing service animals, Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) has issued two new free publications:

"Animals Working – A Guide to Service Animals in Public Places" is a brochure designed to answer business owners' most common questions about providing access to service animals.

"Guide to Service Animals in Public Places" is a folding wallet card that people with disabilities who use service animals can carry with them for handy reference.

"We want businesses, people with disabilities and the general public to have access to the same accurate information about service animals," said Germaine W. Covington, director of the Seattle Office for Civil Rights. "We hope these documents help to clear up any confusion that people may have about the laws and rules that govern the use of service animals."

The new publications cover issues such as:

What is a service animal? Are dogs the only type of service animal allowed?

Can a business require someone to show proof of a person's disability?

Who is responsible for a service animal while it is on the premises?

Can a business ever restrict access to a service animal?

Federal and local laws require all places that are open to the public to provide access to people with disabilities and their service animals. Both publications are available from the City of Seattle Office for Civil Rights by calling 206-684-4500 (TTY 206-684-4503), or by download at www.seattle.gov/civilrights/outreach.htm.